Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has said that Babar Azam is not suited to bat at number four, reiterating his long-held stance on the national team’s batting order.
Speaking on ARY News programme Har Lamha Purjosh, Basit Ali openly questioned recent team selections and strategic decisions, including the sidelining of spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
He pointed out that when Shadab Khan scored 30 runs off 12 balls, there was no debate over his inclusion in the team. “Now that the team is struggling, everyone is talking. Why weren’t these concerns raised before?” Basit remarked.
According to him, Pakistan had a talented option in Sufiyan Muqeem but chose to push him aside without clear justification.
‘Unfair to Force Babar at No. 4’
Basit Ali emphasized that Babar Azam should not be forced into the number four position, calling it unfair to the former captain. He said this opinion had already been expressed on the ARY platform even before the squad announcement.
Commenting on Pakistan’s recent match against Namibia, Basit claimed that Babar’s batting position raised further questions. He said the team management declined to send Babar in to bat after 11 overs, which he described as a surprising decision.
Basit suggested that Babar Azam could open the innings in the future, while Saim Ayub might bat lower down the order.
Criticism of ‘Parachute Selections’
The former batter also criticized what he termed “parachute selections,” referring to individuals brought into the setup without a clear pathway. In this context, he mentioned Mike Hesson, questioning sudden inclusions and their long-term impact on team balance.
He argued that raising objections after selection decisions have already been finalized serves little purpose — particularly if Pakistan advances to the next stage of a tournament and faces difficulties adjusting the playing XI.
On Shaheen Afridi’s Form
Basit concluded by acknowledging that criticism of Shaheen Afridi is justified based on current performance levels. He stated that Afridi has genuinely not been delivering consistent results, adding that such criticism is based on present form rather than hindsight.
His remarks come at a time when Pakistan’s team combinations and player roles are under intense scrutiny, with fans and analysts debating the best possible lineup moving forward.
